--- title: Assisting with the care of children and parents during separation or after a divorce description: Assisting with the care of children and parents during separation or after a divorce --- [Skip to content](https://info.aod.org/articles/assisting-with-the-care-of-children-and-parents-during-separation-or-after-a-divorce#main-content) English Show submenu for translations ![AOD\_Logo\_horizontal\_FullColor-medium-1.png\]](https://info.aod.org/hs-fs/hubfs/AOD_Logo_horizontal_FullColor-medium-1.png?height=40&name=AOD_Logo_horizontal_FullColor-medium-1.png) - [Default HubSpot Blog](https://detroitcatholicschools-7101042.hs-sites.com/blog) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Default HubSpot Blog](https://detroitcatholicschools-7101042.hs-sites.com/blog) - English Show submenu for translations - AOD.ORG AOD.ORG Archdiocese of Detroit Knowledge Base - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Knowledge Base](https://info.aod.org/articles?hsLang=en) 2. 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[Separation & Divorce](https://info.aod.org/articles/marriage-family?hsLang=en#separation-divorce) # Assisting with the care of children and parents during separation or after a divorce - Make the well-being of the child the top priority – that they are loved above all else as always by parents, family, friends, and God. - Communicate in an age-appropriate understanding the meaning and reality of divorce, why parents are divorcing, and in a language that the child can comprehend. - Encourage and answer all questions honestly that the child can comprehend and tolerate knowing. - Help the child to identify and express all their feelings honestly, acknowledge their feelings – it is a traumatic disruption, loss and change event. - Assurance to the child from both parents that they will continue to be there for them, but in a different arrangement, proving stability and structure of lifestyle and relationships. - Child needs to know that the divorce is not their fault, or God’s fault. - Importance that there be as little disruption of normal routines and continuity of supports – family, neighborhood, school, parish community. - Do not expose the child to adult conflict, disrespectful or abusive behavior between parents. - Do not speak negatively about the other parent with the child. - Notify parents of close friends of the separation/divorce. - Notify the school of separation/divorce for support services. - Parent(s) should seek out support from parish community for child and parents – Divorce Recovery support group, pastoral support, resources. - Seek out professional counseling for the child, family – Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan http://ccsem.org/ - Attend support groups for separation/divorce for parents. - [Becoming Catholic](https://info.aod.org/articles/becoming-catholic?hsLang=en) - [Catholic Schools](https://info.aod.org/articles/catholic-schools?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Curriculum Frequently Asked Questions](https://info.aod.org/articles/catholic-schools?hsLang=en#curriculum-frequently-asked-questions) - [CSA](https://info.aod.org/articles/csa?hsLang=en#main-content) - [CSA](https://info.aod.org/articles/csa?hsLang=en#csa) - 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